AUSTIN, TX -- On
Episode 60 of
The Rice Stuff podcast, Dr. Steve Linscombe interviews three rice producers from diverse operations across the country to explore the growing trend of organic rice.
Organic rice accounts for just a small percentage of the rice produced in the United States, but total acreage is on the upswing as more consumers are turning to organically-produced food.
Guests Michael Bosworth, California grower and marketer, Daniel Cavazos, director of rice and organic farming for Florida Crystals Corporation, and Ken Danklefs, rice producer near Garwood, Texas, all produce both organic and conventional rice in their operations and provide perspectives on the differences between the two types of production.
“There are significant requirements associated with organic rice production, including the avoidance of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, instead relying on animal manures, crop residues, green manures, tillage, water, and other biological measures to supply plant nutrients and minimize pest damage,” said Dr. Linscombe. “Fields also need to be free of any non-organic approved products for three years before they can even be considered for organic rice. There’s a lot of unique factors organic farmers must consider, and innovative techniques that are tailored to each rice-growing region.”
Bosworth, Cavazos, and Danklefs discuss the challenges of finding suitable land, weed and pest control, and the difference in yield between organic and conventional rice farming, as well as how they market their product as organic foods increase in popularity.
New episodes of
The Rice Stuff are published on the second and fourth Tuesday of every month and can be found on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, and online at
www.thericestuffpodcast.com.